Pascagoula in Jackson County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

MISSING

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Navy Houses

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2024

1. Navy Houses Marker (missing)

All that remains is the post.

Inscription. Pascagoula played a significant role in the national effort to win World War II. The city offered a seaport, a riverport, and a modern shipyard – the Ingalls Iron Works. As a result, the city's population grew from 6,000 to 35,000 by 1943. To handle the housing shortage, the U.S. Navy constructed 697 family dwellings in central Pascagoula in 1941 and added another 400 houses in 1942. Well-built, many of the “Navy houses” remain today, though modified over the years by subsequent owners.

Erected 2021 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 30° 20.598′ N, 88° 31.999′ W. Marker was in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in Jackson County. Marker was on Beach Boulevard east of City Park Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2903 Beach Blvd, Pascagoula MS 39567, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Camp Jefferson Davis - Soldiers Return From The Mexican War - 1848

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(within shouting distance of this marker); President Zachary Taylor's Summer Home Site (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Camp Jefferson Davis (about 500 feet away); Louisiana Native Guard Attacks Pascagoula (about 500 feet away); Camp Twiggs and the Military Asylum 1849-1855 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Camp Lawson – Military Hospital on Greenwood Island – 1848 (approx. ¼ mile away); The Longfellow House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Clark House (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pascagoula.

Regarding Navy Houses. Excerpt from “Building the Navy's Bases in World War II” by the Naval History and Heritage Command:

Pascagoula, Miss. - Construction of 697 frame family housing units was begun on December 21, 1940, at Pascagoula, Miss., to provide facilities for the families of workmen who were essential for the construction of ships for the United States Maritime Commission.

The housing was constructed at four separate areas identified as “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D.” The buildings were semi-permanent,
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built on concrete piers, with diagonal sheathing, asbestos shingle siding, ridge roofs covered with asphalt shingles, double floors, casein-painted plaster-board interior finish, and screened porches.

Originally, 50 prefabricated steel units were contemplated, but due to lack of delivery only ten were constructed. The prefabricated units, placed in tract "D," were erected on concrete floors, cast on earth fill. Coal stoves were furnished for space heating and cooking facilities.

The procedure established for the accomplishment of this contract utilized a central shop and prefabrication methods wherever practicable. A sawmill, plumbing shop, electrical shop, and central plant for mixing concrete were set up on the site. Materials were delivered directly to these shops and plants. When ground conditions were soggy, tractor-drawn sleds were used for distributing materials.

The development was usably complete on August 31, 1941.

Also see . . . Pascagoula, Mississippi. Pascagoula’s adaptations to wartime called for the overnight transformation of a small fishing and boatbuilding town of fewer than 4,000 people into a modern industrial powerhouse of nearly 38,000. (National Park Service) (Submitted on March 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on March 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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